But he hears his servants blowing,
And bethinks him of his bride;
And ere long, while onward going,
Chances past a fair to ride;
In the booths he forthwith buys him
For his mistress many a pledge;
But, alas! some Jews surprise him,
And long-standing debts allege.
And the courts of justice duly
Send the knight to prison straight.
Oh, accursèd story, truly!
For a hero, what a fate!
Can my patience such things weather?
Great is my perplexity.
"Women, debts, and foes together,—
Ah, no knight escapes scot free!
WEDDING SONG.
The tale of the Count our glad song shall record
Who had in this castle his dwelling,
Where now are ye feasting the new-married lord,
His grandson of whom we are telling.
The Count as Crusader had blazoned his fame,
Through many a triumph exalted his name,
And when on his steed to his dwelling he came,
His castle still reared its proud head,
But servants and wealth had all fled.
'Tis true that thou, Count, hast returned to thy home,
But matters are faring there ill.
The winds through the chambers at liberty roam,
And blow through the windows at will.
